The Lakers have a chance to reach .500 today with a win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks, another sign the worst might be behind them and they finally might be in position to make a serious playoff run.

It's been a wild ride, and nothing anyone would have expected after the Lakers acquired All-Stars Dwight Howard and Steve Nash this summer.

Their stalled development might very well be the result of too many stars trying to mesh at one time.

"I think that actually can be a reason because guys are familiar with playing a certain way and centered around them," Nash explained. "So to try and sacrifice some of that comfort and familiarity for something new, it takes time."